Stowing the Seven Star Sword back inside my body, I left Floating Cloud as it was. That was fine.
Having confirmed the destruction of the so-called S-Ibis, I walked briskly toward the remaining Zephyr-san and the girl who had been called "Zwei."
Zephyr-san was leaning his back against a chunk of rubble, sitting on the deck. Our eyes met.
His breathing was ragged. Looking more closely, was his body trembling slightly too? This wasn't just exhaustion and shortness of breath. Some kind of respiratory illness? Or maybe side effects from drugs supplementing his bodily functions...
"...As you can see, I can barely move. If you're gonna finish me off, now's the time, 'Shichibukai'... I'm guessing Kuzan told you I was one of your 'targets' too..."
"He did. But let me be perfectly clear: I have no intention of finishing you off."
"Ah, is that so... Well, I had a feeling you'd say something like that."
"Did you now. Well, I am a Pirate, after all. Obviously I'm not going to do exactly what the Marines or the Government want. Oh, but... I must insist you refrain from blowing up that island. I'll be confiscating the Dyna Stones as well."
"...Don't worry. I have no such intention anymore..."
"?"
Those words, spoken so suddenly, left me blinking in surprise.
It wasn't just me. Sitting beside him, watching me protectively on Zephyr-san's behalf, she too, Zwei, turned to look at him with shock.
Even from where I stood, Zephyr-san had seemed like someone who had thoroughly steeled his resolve. No, "steeled his resolve" didn't even begin to cover what he had been carrying in his heart.
I had hoped he would stop, but I'd thought, 'Nothing anyone says is going to stop this man.' That's how far gone he seemed. I truly believed there was no turning back.
So the fact that he was now taking back his words, well, of course I was happy about it, but there was also a sense of bewilderment.
"No need to look so baffled. It's nothing complicated... I was simply forced to confront the fact that I never had the resolve to begin with."
Zephyr-san spoke while patting the bandages wrapped around various parts of his body, one spot after another, then turned his gaze to Zwei, the one who had treated his wounds.
"I kept saying I'd see it through no matter who or what I had to sacrifice... and yet I couldn't even abandon a single student. Look at this sorry state. At this rate, even if I had actually gone through with it... I'd have been drowning in regret afterward. Wouldn't you say, Zwei?"
"...I don't know. I... came from a future where you never achieved your goal..."
"I also heard that the Grand Reboot didn't just destroy the New World but the entire world... though I never heard what happened to you after that, Zephyr-san."
"Ha ha ha... The entire world, you say? That's quite something. With an eruption that massive, I'm sure Zwei and the others and I would have... been caught up in it and died right after setting things off. Dying and running away first, dragging down not just the ones I should have destroyed but the ones I should have protected, making them suffer... What a wretched old fool."
From the tone of his voice, and from the calm aura I could sense through Observation Haki, it really did seem like Zephyr-san had given up on the Grand Reboot.
The moment I understood that, relief flooded through me. If that was the case, then I wouldn't have to fight him anymore. No need for anything rough or violent.
Zephyr-san watched me with an exasperated look as I so obviously let my guard down.
"...Same as when I was still in the Marines. In the end, I suppose I wanted to believe... that this world wasn't beyond saving just yet. That even in a world crawling with worthless scum... surely the future would be something better. That there were people who hadn't given up on walking toward that future, people this old soldier could entrust the future to, right here in the present."
"When you put it like that, it's honestly a bit intimidating... And come on, don't go placing those kinds of earnest politician-like expectations on a Pirate."
"Can't be helped. As you well know, those politicians are all worthless."
Ah. Yeah, fair point.
Right after that, Zephyr-san, who had been wearing the faintest of smiles, suddenly let it fade.
"But remember this, Pirate Literary Master. The era ahead will likely be even worse than anything before... for Pirates, Marines, civilians... everyone, without exception."
"!"
"The Summit War was without question a turning point for this world. Things were lost because of it, and new things were born. What all of that will bring to the future, or take from it... nobody knows. It's even possible that a door to a hell so terrible you'd wish the world had just ended will swing wide open."
"...You're right. But... that's just how life works, don't you think? Whatever happens, you deal with it as it comes. Over and over again. That's life. That's the world."
"..."
"Of course, those responses don't always lead to happy endings for everyone, and sometimes they just lead to more failure. But even so, you take even that and use it as fuel to keep moving forward. That's all people can do, in the end."
"Hmph... A slip of a girl who's lived barely thirty-some years, spouting such weighty words. As expected of the Pirate Literary Master who turned even the memory of entering Impel Down, something that would normally be traumatic, into Experience Material."
"Ahaha... That's just my nature, I suppose. But those experiences really are alive in my life today. Oh, though I guess saying that to a former Marine is a bit tactless."
"Indeed it is. But..."
A beat.
"You're right. Maybe it's fine to be as optimistic as you. At the very least, this world... the young people who'll live on in it... probably aren't something a wretched old fool like me needs to be pessimistic and worried about. Dragging the whole world into a double suicide... what a preposterous thing I'd planned. I'm appalled at myself, truly. To have a girl and my own students be the ones to teach me that."
"Isn't that a good thing? That's part of what the master-student relationship is about. Parents learn from their children, masters learn from their students, more often than you'd think. And being able to support your parents and teachers someday, that's practically a duty of the young, wouldn't you say?"
Really, saying something like this to Zephyr-san was like preaching to the choir.
A man called "the one who trained every Marine" couldn't possibly not know or understand this.
Knowing him, I was certain that the moment he became "Z," he had cast aside even his role as the Marines' Instructor. As a severance from the past. As a way of holding himself accountable for the lawless path he was about to walk.
And yet, everything that "Zephyr"-san the Instructor had built over those decades was still alive inside him, even now. In the very end, it was that which had stopped him.
Well then. The most troublesome part of this, the persuasion, which I'd been prepared might turn into persuasion (physical), had somehow worked out. Now what to do from here...
As I was thinking that.
Crack.
"...?!"
The sea froze.
The entire stretch of ocean in this area was blasted with a massive wave of cold that spread like a hammer blow, turning everything to ice.
Nearly every Neo Marines warship, including the flagship we were currently aboard, was locked in place by the ice, unable to move.
There was only one person who could do something like this.
I turned to look, and beyond that frozen landscape, on the other side, several Marine warships.
And on their deck...
'He actually came... that person...!'
***
"How did it go?"
"Success, Fleet Admiral Kuzan. We've successfully frozen the Neo Marines warships in place... Ah, however, it seems we weren't able to freeze all of them. People are moving to the ships that survived, one after another..."
"Oh dear oh dear... That didn't work out."
Sighing with a 'well, what can you do' air was Fleet Admiral Kuzan.
Normally, he'd be stationed in the Fleet Admiral's Office at New Marineford. In fact, his position dictated that he shouldn't be leaving so casually. And yet here he was, out on the seas of the New World.
With multiple Vice Admirals and even Admiral Kizaru in tow.
"Well, if I went all out... I'd end up catching the defense line guys floundering around in the water over there. Hey, you, go tell the Rescue Team to pick those people up. I'm sending two ships their way."
"Yes sir!"
"With all this drift ice, it's gonna be tough going from here, wouldn't you say? Want me to go on ahead, Kuzan?"
"Nah, it's fine, Kizaru. I don't think we need to rush... Might not have even needed the ice, honestly."
As he spoke, Kuzan picked up the receiver of a Den Den Mushi that a subordinate beside him was holding, still connected to the other end.
"So yeah, I'm heading out now. ...Sorry about this, Sengoku-san, Tsuru-san... making you cover for me."
"You make sure this is the last time, Fleet Admiral. Honestly, if you've accepted the position, you need to sit tight and hold down the fort properly. You're not those two idiots over here."
"Bwahahahaha! Don't be like that, Tsuru-chan. Asking Kuzan, or for that matter Borsalino and the other Vice Admirals, to just sit around and not go on this mission would be cruel, don't you think?" Munch munch.
"She's right, you know. Wait, am I in the same 'problem child' category as Garp now...? Hahaha. Oh, want some rice crackers? They just released a new flavor." Crunch crunch.
"I don't want your rice crackers, you rice-cracker old man. Kuzan, you hurry up and finish this and get back here. Someone else can handle running the organization in your place, but only you can sign off on the paperwork and everything else, so if you don't get back soon this room's going to be buried in documents. And honestly, since when is the Fleet Admiral's job 'holding down the fort'?"
From the other end of the Den Den Mushi came familiar voices, seasoned and weathered by years.
Great Advisor Vice Admiral Tsuru, along with the retired former Fleet Admiral Sengoku. And the voice of Vice Admiral Garp, who apparently showed up uninvited.
The cheery crunching sounds interspersed between the voices, two distinct varieties, were probably Garp's rice crackers and Sengoku's rice crackers. There was also the occasional sound of tea being sipped.
It seemed the Fleet Admiral's Office had currently become the Marine Old Folks' Association's tea lounge.
"Don't say things that make me not want to come back, Tsuru-san. ...So, you three... anything you want me to pass along to Sensei?"
At that question, the other end of the Den Den Mushi went quiet for just a moment, but then:
"No. It's fine. Go put an end to things with a clear mind."
"...You sure? Worst case, this could be the last..."
"Don't lump us in with you greenhorns. We've known that man for decades... We've already said everything there is to say to each other. There's nothing left at this point."
"Yeah... I'm sure Zephyr feels the same way."
"...Got it. Well then..."
With a click, Kuzan set down the receiver. At that exact moment, a figure dropped from the sky onto the deck.
The Marines around him startled at the sudden arrival, but Kuzan, who had already sensed it, called out with a casual "Yo." As if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Sorry for the wait... Pirate Literary Master."
"You really should be sorry... Everything's already over, so the Marines don't even have anything to do... is what I wanted to say, but."
Sue's words trailed off, loaded with implication.
Hearing just that, Kuzan understood what she was trying to say.
The implication concerned the man they all looked up to as their teacher. Having known him for so long, understanding it wasn't hard.
Because he could predict that that man would make that kind of choice.
"...I see. Understood. We'll take it from here. You pull out, Golden Lion Pirates and all... step back."
"...Could I at least come along? To see it through..."
"...Sorry, if you could hold back on that... it'd help."
"..."
"We want to be the ones to send him off... Please."
"...Haaah."
With a single sigh, Sue sprouted wings from her back.
"Fine. I'll leave the rest to you. Zephyr-san said he was going to board one of the surviving ships with the others and make a run for it. If you're going after him, you might want to hurry."
"Oh dear oh dear, that's a problem. Hey, observation report. Can you see the escaping ship? Which way is it headed?"
"Sir! Confirmed, one ship has separated from the Neo Marines fleet and is fleeing!"
"This ship plus two escorts, pursue that vessel. The rest stay in this area, secure the Neo Marines ships and recover supplies. Dyna Stones included. Handle them with care."
"Wait, you're recovering the supplies too? I was planning to seize them under my privileges as a Shichibukai."
"Ah... Really sorry about that. But given what we're dealing with... we can't exactly let dangerous materials end up somewhere else, so... Sorry, truly."
"Honestly... from start to finish, this whole affair has been nothing but me getting jerked around. If it were anyone else, you'd be getting punched by now, you know?"
"Fair enough. I'll make it up to you later."
Sue turned her back on the apologetic yet easygoing Kuzan with a hmph of displeasure.
"Seriously... Fine, the outsider will get going. It's starting to rain, anyway."
"Hm? Rain? No, there's no rain..." Then realization struck. "...!"
"..."
Sue's face, turned away, was hidden from Kuzan's view.
But sensing what was happening, Kuzan silently nodded.
"...Yeah. You're right. It is coming down... Get home before you catch a cold."
"...I'll be going, then. Good work out there."
***
"Get out of here, Pirate Literary Master. ...Oh, and sorry, but if you could take this one with you while you're at it, that'd help. I'm not saying you have to look after her or anything. Just drop her off at some island somewhere... Hey now, what's with that face?"
"What? Run or surrender? If I'm not going through with the Grand Reboot, there's no reason to fight? Hahaha... That's kind of you. But don't be naive... Even if I'm giving up the plan, that's a separate matter. A man who's already started running needs a proper way to end things."
"Even if I surrendered, there's no future for me either way. Prison, or... at best, a life where nothing resembling 'freedom' remains. Having the Government use my name and strength however they please out of guilt for what I've done? No thank you. If that's how it is... I'd rather go out looking as cool as possible."
"And more than anything... look at that."
"Kuzan, Borsalino... Doberman, Strawberry... so many of my students came to stop me. They must have had all kinds of conflicting feelings about it... and yet, as Marines, with determination in their hearts, they came to stop this 'Z.'"
"Nothing could be more reassuring, nothing could make me happier...! So I have to see it through with them to the very end, too. I refuse to show them anything pathetic...!"
"So... get going, Missy."
"You... all of you, live. In whatever form, in a world full of worthless people... still believe that there is hope. In the future that lies ahead."
"Now... go!"
...That was my conversation with Zephyr-san just minutes ago.
After that, as he put his sunglasses back on and clamped his inhaler between his teeth, I left Zephyr-san behind, grabbed Zwei-chan, and flew away from the scene.
I had landed on Fleet Admiral Kuzan's ship only after leaving Zwei-chan somewhere safe first.
"...Honestly...! Marines, every last one of them...!"
***
Several hours later.
After a pursuit so leisurely it hardly seemed like the Marines chasing down a criminal, Z and Kuzan's forces made landfall on a certain island.
"Punk Hazard, was it. An island contaminated by an accident the Marine Science Unit caused a few years back, now off-limits. Looks like the poison's cleared up after all these years. Perfect place for a brawl."
In front of Kuzan and the others, Z used his inhaler one last time, then crushed it in his grip, destroying it.
As if to say he wouldn't be needing it anymore.
Then Kuzan activated his powers, generating massive walls of ice around them.
They encircled everyone present, Z included, forming an arena. Marines and Z alike were enclosed within a Colosseum of ice.
"What's all this, now? You didn't need to build something like this. I'm not going to run."
"It's a screen. Well, I doubt anyone's peeping way out here, but... just in case. Without this, we wouldn't be able to call you 'Sensei.'"
"Scrupulous about the strangest things..."
Chuckling quietly, Z surveyed the men standing before him once more.
Kuzan, the new Fleet Admiral. Admiral Kizaru, Borsalino.
And beyond them, the Vice Admirals.
Every one of them was someone he had looked after, to one degree or another.
Some wore expressions of firm resolve. Others tried to steel themselves but couldn't fully hide their grief. Some clenched their teeth. Some wept.
For people facing down Evil, it was a strangely dissonant sight.
And yet, that very scene filled Z with joy.
'I'm the one who put those expressions on their faces... but they came out here without a word of complaint. Then I, too, will stay true to myself until the very end!'
As Z's smile deepened, Kuzan spoke.
"...This might be tactless, but... just one last thing."
"?"
"We're going to keep fighting. This world you've lost faith in... the Marines... we'll make them something worth looking at, even if only a little. In this wretched era, we'll become an organization worthy of carrying the banner of Justice on our backs... and we'll stay that way."
"Anyone can say anything, Kuzan. Can you actually do it, greenhorn? In this wretched world where even Sengoku gave up on so much and let so much slip through his fingers, can you keep upholding Justice?"
"We'll show you. ...Who do you think trained every last one of us?"
"...Ha. Heheh... Hahahaha! Yeah, that's right... Well said, well said, greenhorns!"
"But... oh, but still, I can't help worrying. Whether you lot can truly fight your way through the New Era ahead... Yeah, I'm worried. I really ought to make sure for myself!"
"We keep telling you not to worry, Sensei. But hey, if you want to test us that badly, be our guest... We'll show you till you're sick of it. How much we've grown. What kind of strength, what kind of resolve we're carrying into the era ahead!"
"Big words, Kuzan! Fine then, show me that resolve! Don't you dare show me anything so pathetic I'd die of shame and not even be able to rest in peace!"
"You heard the man! Everyone, get your heads in the game... We can't show our Sensei anything half-baked at the very end!"
"""YES, SIR!!!"""
"All of you, come at me... I'll give you your final lesson!!"
***
On this day.
A single hero, admired and respected by countless Marines, and even by some Pirates, retired from history.
To be continued...